The work began last week, said project coordinator Gwen Glatz of the Muskegon-area. Crews of about 25 volunteers will do the work on the island through July 15. The work includes restoring a building in the lighthouse complex, repainting a one-room schoolhouse and, if they have enough time, working on the island’s visitors center.

The group will focus most efforts on a building that went into operation in 1875, Glatz told the newspaper.

“It sticks out on a point and gets more weather than most of the island, so it’s starting to fall apart,” she said.

Nine descendants of the island’s four former lighthouse keepers are among those expected to help with the restoration work. They trace their family lineage to keepers Aaron Sheridan, James Burdick and Ron Rosie.

Grandchildren and great-grandchildren of lighthouse keepers who served from the 1870s to the 1940s are coming from Saugatuck, Holland, Lansing, Douglas and elsewhere in Michigan, with one descendant coming from Oregon.

They won’t just be working on the repairs. They also will hand out brochures on the lighthouse for visitors interested in learning more about the island’s history and their connection to it, Glatz said.

The volunteer work goes beyond fixing the buildings, Glatz said. She added that it is an ongoing process each year to mow the lawns and clean the buildings with National Park Service rangers so South Manitou Island’s integrity can be maintained.

“There’s nothing the volunteers wouldn’t do,” Glatz said. “It’s a donation we make to preserve the history.”